This HET-RC F-20 Tigershark was build and modified by Daniel. Daniel took the standard HET-RC Kit and made a true masterpiece out of it.
His modified F-20 Tigershark features:
Fully functional air retracts (MAP Air Retracts)
Air brake (situated at the bottom of the fuselage)
Scale Elevator with anhydral
Aileron linkages below the wing (the retract keeps them clear of the ground)
Custom color scheme
Cockpit
Scale wing extensions
The Plane is power by a MEGA 16-35-1.5, WeMoTec Mini Fan 480 Pro Fan, YGE 120A ESC and SLS 3200 35C LiPo. The thrust generated by this setup tops 2kg which is more then enough to power this now 2010 gram heavy model. A total of 7 servos are installed in the plane to power all the functions (retracts, steering, twin elevator, air brake…..)
We hope to add a video of the model soon.
Some info on the full size plane: The F-20 Tigershark (initially F-5G) was a privately financed light fighter, designed and built by Northrop. Its development began in 1975 as a further evolution of Northrop’s F-5E Tiger II, featuring a new engine that greatly improved overall performance, and a modern avionics suite including a powerful and flexible radar. Compared with the F-5E, the F-20 was much faster, gained beyond visual range air-to-air capability, and had a full suite of air-to-ground modes capable of firing most U.S. weapons. With these improved capabilities, the F-20 became competitive with contemporary U.S. fighter designs like the F-16 Fighting Falcon, but was much less expensive to purchase and operate.
Much of the F-20’s development was carried out as part of a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) project called "FX", which intended to sell less-advanced fighter designs to U.S. allies to limit the possibility of front-line U.S. technology falling into Soviet hands. FX developed out of a general re-working of U.S. military export policy started under the Carter administration in 1977. Although Northrop had high hopes for the F-20 in the international market, changes in policy following Ronald Reagan’s election left the F-20 competing for sales with front line fighters like the F-16. The development program was eventually abandoned in 1986 after three prototypes had been built and a fourth partially completed.
If you have used the HET-RC Mini Air Retracts before (3mm or 4mm version) then you know that the nose gear strut is held in place by a grub screw which hold on to a grove in the wire strut.
In many cases if you would like to reuse the retract in another plane at a later stage you would need to either reuse the existing nose wire strut or fabricate a new one including the groove. The same is required if you would need a special length nose strut. In addition the groove might weaken the wire and cause it to snap if it is not cut in properly.
Here is a simple solution which allows you to use any kind of wire without the need to cut a groove.
Materials required: - A small piece of 1mm aluminum sheet - A cap screw with the same thread as the grub screw
First cut a 7.5mm x 19mm long strip of the aluminum sheet. Make sure the retract mechanic is in the gear down position, position the sheet on the retract unit directly over the grub screw that usually hold the wire strut. The sheet should sit flush at the top with the retract spacer that keeps the 2 retract halves together. The strips long end should now point along the wire leg. Mark the position of the grub screw on the sheet, remove the sheet from the retract unit and drill a hole through the sheet at this position. Use a drill of the same size as the grub screw.
Next place a normal wire strut (without grove) into the retract unit. Completely remove the group screw. Use the cap screw to fix the sheet in place. Shorten the cap screw so that it does not touch the wire strut inside the unit.
Install the steering arm on the wire strut, make sure the wire strut reaches into the retract unit all the way. Mark the position of the steering arm on the aluminum and bend the aluminum sheet around the arm as shown in the first picture above. Make sure there is a bit a clearance between arm and sheet as otherwise the nose gear steering will not work.
Once bend around all the way, mark the position of the wire strut on the sheet and drill a 3mm or 4mm hole depending on the retract unit type you are using.
Cut the remaining length of the aluminum sheet. Test the steering and retract movement. It might be required to use a drum sander (e.e. Dremel) to sand a rounded edge into the aluminum sheet where it meets the air cylinder in order for the retract to fully lock in up position.
I hope this helps some of you. I’m looking forward to some feedback.
This is our HET-RC F-86 Sabre. The model is one of HET-RC first epoxy fiberglass models and comes fully pre-painted.
Our F-86 is equipped with the following components: - WeMoTec Mini Fan 480 - HET-RC Typhoon 2W-18 Motor - HET 75A ESC - 3700mAh 4S Lipo - HET-RC Mini Air Retracts
I decided to install the nose gear steering slightly different then shown in the manual. I opted for a completely concealed installation of the steering servo. The servo is now located inside the fan compartment and is glued directly beside the fan against the fuselage of the model. A balsa block between servo and fuselage wall creates enough space for the servo to move freely.
2 pushrod channels are routed from the fan compartment into the nose and guide the 2 steering wires so that they exit directly behind the retract unit.
Some info on the real plane: The North American Aviation F-86 Sabre (sometimes called the Sabrejet) was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. The Sabre is best known for its Korean War role where it was pitted against the Soviet MiG-15 and obtained UN air superiority. Although developed in the late 1940s and outdated by the end of the 1950s, the Sabre proved adaptable and continued as a front line fighter in air forces until the last active front line examples were retired by the Bolivian Air Force in 1994.
Its success led to an extended production run of more than 7,800 aircraft between 1949 and 1956, in the United States, Japan and Italy. It was by far the most-produced Western jet fighter, with total production of all variants at 9,860 units.
Variants were built in Canada and Australia. The Canadair Sabre added another 1,815 airframes, and the significantly redesigned CAC Sabre (sometimes known as the Avon Sabre or CAC CA-27), had a production run of 112.
This HET-RC F-15 Eagle in Bicentennial color scheme is owned by Keng Leng. The model is bungee launched and powered by 2 HET Typhoon 3W motors, 2 Jeti ESC and HET 6904 Fan units.
The plane is controlled via tailerons. Due to the large fuselage the installation of a retractable landing gear is possible.
Some info on the real plane: The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories.Following reviews of proposals, the United States Air Force selected McDonnell Douglas’ design in 1967 to meet the service’s need for a dedicated air superiority fighter. The Eagle first flew in July 1972, and entered service in 1976. The F-15 is expected to be in service with the U.S. Air Force until 2025.
Since the 1970s, the Eagle has also been exported to Israel, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. Despite originally being envisaged as a pure air superiority aircraft, the design proved flexible enough that an all-weather strike derivative, the F-15E Strike Eagle, was later developed, and entered service in 1989.
Just back in stock: The new HET-RC F-86 Sabre Jet in Airbursh Color. The HET Sabre features an epoxy fiberglass fuselage with painted on color scheme. The model can be launched from ground with a retractable landing gear (mounts pre installed) or bungeed. Wing tanks are available as option.
The picture was taken just as the model left the bungee launcher rails. This 70mm Fan size balsa EDF jet is powered by a WeMoTec Mini Fan and HET-RC Typhoon motor.
The plane is controlled by tailerons only reducing the amount of servos required to finish the plane. The F-18 can either be launched with a bungee, of ground with a fixed landing gear or hand launched with the help of an experienced thrower.
Wei Young’s HET-RC F/A-18 taking a break before the next sortie.
Ryan’s HET-RC F/A-18 preparing for Taxi.
Ryan has equipped his F-18 with a fixed gear and steerable nose gear which allows the plane to take off from ground
Kalvin’s HET-RC F/A-18 during a high speed low pass.
Frank’s HET-RC F/A-18 – just before sun set.
Some info on the real plane: The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. The F/A-18 was derived from the YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations. It has been the aerial demonstration aircraft for the U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, since 1986.
The fighter’s primary missions are fighter escort, fleet air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), air interdiction, close air support and Aerial reconnaissance. Its versatility and reliability have proven it to be a valuable carrier asset, though it has been criticized for its lack of range and payload compared to its earlier contemporaries, such as the F-14 Tomcat in the fighter and strike fighter role, and the A-6 Intruder and A-7 Corsair II in the attack role.
F/A-18 Hornet provided the baseline design for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a larger, evolutionary redesign of the F/A-18. Compared to the Hornet, the Super Hornet is larger, heavier and has improved range and payload capability. The F/A-18E/F was originally proposed as an alternative to a completely new aircraft to replace existing dedicated attack aircraft such as the A-6. The larger variant was also directed to replace the aging F-14 Tomcat, thus serving a complementary role with Hornets in the U.S. Navy, and serving a wider range of roles including refueling tanker, and electronic jamming platform.
Chi Mun’s HET-RC Super Sniper posing together with a HET-RC F-16. The Super Sniper was originally designed by Speedmodels in the Netherlands. Chi Mun’s model is powered by a HET Typhoon Motor and a 4S Lipo.
Due to the slim fuselage of the Sniper the Lipo is configured in a 2x 2S configuration and placed near the CG beside the fan in the fuselage.
Another one of Rolf’s masterpieces. This HET-RC F-18 Hornet for twin 70mm EDF units features a fiberglass fuselage. After equipping the plane with RC components Rolf added scale lighting and repainted the model in a new color scheme.
The model is launched with a bungee (retract ca be installed) and performs very well despite the final flying weight of over 3kg.
Some info on the real plane: The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. The F/A-18 was derived from the YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations. It has been the aerial demonstration aircraft for the U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, since 1986.
The fighter’s primary missions are fighter escort, fleet air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), air interdiction, close air support and Aerial reconnaissance. Its versatility and reliability have proven it to be a valuable carrier asset, though it has been criticized for its lack of range and payload compared to its earlier contemporaries, such as the F-14 Tomcat in the fighter and strike fighter role, and the A-6 Intruder and A-7 Corsair II in the attack role.
F/A-18 Hornet provided the baseline design for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a larger, evolutionary redesign of the F/A-18. Compared to the Hornet, the Super Hornet is larger, heavier and has improved range and payload capability. The F/A-18E/F was originally proposed as an alternative to a completely new aircraft to replace existing dedicated attack aircraft such as the A-6. The larger variant was also directed to replace the aging F-14 Tomcat, thus serving a complementary role with Hornets in the U.S. Navy, and serving a wider range of roles including refueling tanker, and electronic jamming platform.
This is our HET-RC Mikoyan Mig-29 Fulcrum with 2x Typhoon 2W-20, 2x Tsunami 72A and 2x 4200mAh 4S lipos. The model is equipped with TamJets Air retracts and uses a FlyFly Mig-29 Oleo strut for the nose gear.
Take offs from a concrete runway are easily done. However as the model is not equipped with a working rudder, cross wind makes it hard to get it airborne.
Once the gear is up the MiG-29 accelerates quickly. The power setup is adequate for basic flight but a bit more power would be required to fly it in a scale like fashion. We are now planning to upgrade the Model to either a 6S setup (2W-25)or a more powerful 4S setup such as the Typhoon 1W-30.
Some info on the real plane: The Mikoyan MiG-29 (Russian: Микоян МиГ-29; NATO reporting name: Fulcrum) is a 4th-generation jet fighter aircraft designed in the Soviet Union for an air superiority role. Developed in the 1970s by the Mikoyan design bureau, it entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1983, and remains in use by the Russian Air Force as well as in many other nations. The NATO name “Fulcrum” was unofficially used by Soviet pilots in service. The MiG-29 along with the Su-27 were developed to counter new American fighters such as the F-15 Eagle, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
